FBI Evidence re Survivors of Lexington, Transport aboard other ships ( Barnett ), and Midway Leak, Reported at San Diego, June 16, 1942

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FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

This Case Originated At WASHINGTON, D. C. File No. 65-1143

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: CONFIDENTIAL

Investigation based on information received that subject is foreign correspondent of Chicago Tribune and also present on U.S.S. LEXINGTON during last cruise of that ship until it was sunk; that he returned to San Diego on 6-2-42 aboard the U.S.S. BARNETT and on 6-7-42 an article was published in the Tribune and three other papers which contained nearly verbatim the contents of a secret dispatch received on the BARNETT 5-31-42. Interviews with some decoding officers and senior officers of LEXINGTON who were on BARNETT failed to indicate how subject got contents of instant message, but all stated it was not exhibited to him outright although he

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may have overheard it or seen it acci- dentally. Subject arranged for censor- ship of his stories through Eleventh Naval District Public Relations Office, but did not submit message for censoring. He submitted material about the Coral Sea battles of the LEXINGTON, which was forwarded to the Navy Department for approval. In San Diego on 6-3-42 subject sent a telegram indicating he had forwarded some material to the Chicago Tribune via air mail and wanted it printed immediately.

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REFERENCES: Telephone call from Assistant Director D. M. LADD to the San Diego Field Division on June 12, 1942. Letter from the San Diego Field Division to the Bureau dated June 12, 1942. Teletype from the San Diego Field Division to the Bureau and San Francisco Field Division dated June 13, 1942. Teletypes to the Bureau, San Francisco Field Division and Washington Field Division dated June 14, 15, and 16, 1942, from the San Diego Field Division.

DETAILS: AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA The following investigation was conducted jointly by Reporting Agent and Special Agents H. LEROSS BROWNE, F. C. DORWART, L. A. DUCOMMUN, D. A. FISH, L. ALEX GILLIAM, JR., AND EDWIN S. YOUTZ.

The following information was submitted by Assistant Director D. M. LADD to Special Agent L. A. DUCOMMUN:

On June 7, 1942 there was published in the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Times-Herald, the New York Daily News, and the San Francisco Chronicle a story concerning thebattle at Midway. The story was to the effect that the Navy knewthe identity of the Japanese ships and also listed the names of the ships.

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The name of the reporter who wrote this story is STANLEY JOHNSTON who was representing the Chicago Tribune. He was supposed to have been one of the official reporters on a United States aircraft carrier at the time of the battle of the Coral Sea. JOHNSTON is supposed to have returned to San Diego, California on the U.S.S. BARNETT, which was returning survivors from the battle of the Coral Sea. He had a room on board this ship with an officer. JOHNSTON's first story concerning his relating of this information was that he had picked it up by overhearing conversations of the officers on board ship. Later he denied that he obtained this information that way and said that he found on his desk in the room which he occupied on the boat written on a piece of scratch paper the names of the Japanese ships in the Task Force (presumably those that attacked Midway Island). He said that he copied this list and made a story; that he did not know how the list of names got there.

Mr. LADD further stated that the U.S.S. BARNETT pulled into San Diego, California on June 2, 1942, but it is supposed to be presently in San Francisco, California.

The following information was obtained from the files of the Eleventh Naval District Intelligence Office:

" 1. This investigation is predicated upon information received at DIO-11ND from the Chief of Staff, 11ND, that on or about June 7 an article appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, which may have been published without first undergoing Naval Censorship. A copy of this article appears as enclosure (A). It was further indicated that the data included in enclosure (A) might have been supplied by subject, who is a civilian War Correspondent. Subject is an employee of the Chicago Tribune who was aboard the U.S.S. Lexington during a recent cruise in Pacific waters.

" 2. Therefore, authorities at the Destroyer Base at San Diego were contacted and it was learned that on June 2, 1942 crew members of the U.S.S. Lexington had been received there from the U.S.S. BARNETT. Sole civilian among these crew members was subject.

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" 3. A canvass of hotels in the San Diego vicinity revealed that subject has registered at Hotel Del Coronado at 2350 on June 2 following a telephonic reservation. Subject was accompanied when he arrived at the hotel by a man and a woman. The woman was unidentified but Albert CAMPIONE, hotel manager, expressed the opinion the man was Commander Mortimer SELIGMAN, USN, Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Lexington. Subject was described as over six feet tall, brown hair, British-type mustache, wearing a khaki uniform and an overseas cap, but his uniform carrying no insignia. Subject's only baggage was a wooden box bound with cord. He remained at the Hotel Del Coronado until the morning of June 4.

" 4. During the stay at the hotel, subject made two telephone calls -- one to Western Union and the other to Randolph 5031. Randolph 5031 is listed as being the telephone number of James McCORMICK, 4465 Marlborough, San Diego. McCORMICK is manager of the City Printing Company, a non-union job printing concern which holds a fair reputation. McCORMICK has lived in San Diego for more than twenty-five years, and is considered to be a loyal individual. There was no evidence of relationship between McCORMICK and Colonel Robert R. McCORMICK, editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. While a guest at the Hotel Del Coronado, subject dispatched four telegrams which read as follows:

(a) 'Loy Maloney Tribune, Chicago

Navy public relations office assures story will not be released for several days meanwhile they're getting my stories Washington Stop still think HENNING should press when he receives my airmail Stop arranging come Chicago earliest transportation which uncan have before tomorrow sometime will advise you my every move when leaving

JOHNSTON Stanley JOHNSTON 717 '

(b) 'Mgr. Clark Hotel Los Angeles

Please reserve room for me and notify Barbara JOHNSTON when she arrives 8 o'clock. I will be there 11AM

PMC Stanley JOHNSTON 6-4-42 61 '

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" (c) 'Barbara JOHNSTON American Express San Francisco

'Telephone me Del Coronado Hotel Henley 3-3161

Stanley PMC 53 6-3-42 '

(d) 'Barbara JOHNSTON Stockton Court 530 Stockton Street San Francisco

Cheerio darling wire your telephone or call me Coronado Hotel Coronado California reply paid love you

Stan Stan JOHNSTON, 717 Coronado Hotel '

" 5. On June 3, subject ordered that a typewriter be sent to his room and later the same day he descended to the lobby carrying several sheets of paper which carried typewritten matter. He requested envelopes, placed the written matter inside the envelopes, but carried them away without mailing.

" 6. Shortly after subject's departure from the hotel, several unidentified persons attempted to reach him by telephone.

" 7. Coincident with the report from the Chief of Staff which originated this investigation, it was reported to DIO-IIND by J. S. BLAKELY, payroll supervisor for Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, San Diego, California, that one of his clerks had discovered on the night of January 5, a document that might be considered prejudicial to the security of the U. S. Fleet. Because it developed subsequently that subject was co-author of this document, investigation of this incident is being made a part of this report. The aforementioned document is included as enclosure (B).

" 8. Mr. BLAKELY referred investigating officer to R. E. CLAYBOURN, who resides at 326 Juniper Street, San Diego. Mr. CLAYBOURN stated that on the evening of June 5 while riding in a taxicab from a restaurant at 2137 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California, to his home, he discovered enclosure (B) on the rear seat. Mr. CLAYBOURN

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at first declared that this was all he had found, with the exception of an open carton of cigarettes. Later, however, Mr. CLAYBOURN recalled that he had also found a package of personal letters which were addressed to Erwin F. RICH, U.S.S. Lexington.

" 9. RICH, who it developed is a PhM1c attached to the Destroyer Base, San Diego, was located by means of an address which was on one of the personal letters found in the taxicab. The address was that of his wife, 2279 Avenida Altura Bayview, Pacific Beach, California. RICH was brought to DIO-11ND for questioning and admitted that on the evening of June 5 he had lost a package of personal letters while riding in a taxicab between Second and Broadway and Pacific Beach. He also admitted losing a carton of cigarettes and recalled that it was possible that included among the personal letters, there might have been a carbon copy of a document which was circulated widely among crew members of the U.S.S Lexington. RICH's description of the document left no doubt but that he had reference to enclosure (B). RICH stated that enclosure (B)was written by a Chief Bos'n. named BRANDT, (fnu) and a reporter named Stanley JOHNSTON, who represented the Chicago Tribune on board the Lexington. RICH stated that he had received his copy from a shipmate and added that a number of copies were circulated throughout the crew of the U.S.S. Lexington. He stated further that he had intended to destroy the document and if it appeared among his papers, it was through accident.

" 10. Commander Mortimer SELIGMAN, USN, was interviewed and stated that subject had been aboard the Lexington as a war corres- pondent. He stated that subject had joined the Lexington at Pearl Harbor on introduction by Lieut. Comdr. Waldo DRAKE, USNR, and Lieut. (jg) James E. BASSETT, Jr. USNR. Commander SELIGMAN indi- cated that subject had free run of the ship and repeatedly questioned officers and men regarding activities and procedure throughout the entire cruise. When shown enclosure (B), Commander SELIGMAN recalled that many copies had been made of this document aboard the U.S.S Minneapolis which at the time was carrying a number of crew members of the U.S.S. Lexington. The men, however, were warned not to take them ashore. Commander SELIGMAN stated that subject had collaborated in preparation of enclosure (B).

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" 11. It was learned from a confidential source that while subject was aboard the U.S.S. Lexington, he had in his possession a substantial amount of material, written and photographic, which dealt with activities of the U.S.S. Lexington in the Coral Sea conflict. It was further learned that when subject disembarked from the U.S.S Barnett at the Destroyer Base, San Diego, he had in his possession the remnants of this collection which he had managed to bring with him from the U.S.S. Lexington.

" 12. A memorandum to the District Intelligence Officer, 11ND, from E. ROBERT ANDERSON, District Public Relations Officer, reads as follows:

" '1. Subject person's presence in this area first was made known to the District Public Relations Office through a telephone call June 2 made to Lt. (jg) Harold P. Requa, USNR, by Comdr. M. T. SELIGMAN, USN, who reported to Lt. Requa that the subject person was aboard USS LEXINGTON and had prepared correspondence for his newspaper which should be censored prior to publication. It was further explained that it was the desire of subject person to submit his correspondence for censor ship to proper authorities in a manner which would provide absolute security.

" '2. The District Public Relations Officer instructed Lt. REQUA to inform subject person, through Comdr. SELIGMAN, that he should call at the District Public Relations Office for instructions. In the meantime, on the advice of the Commandant, the District Public Relations Officer, conferred with Rear Adm. A. W. Fitch, U.S.N., and it was agreed that subject person's correspondence should be forwarded via officer messenger direct to the Commander-In-Chief by plane. This was done June 4, 1942.

" '3. Subject person never called in person at the District Public Relations Office despite the fact that he made arrangements through Lt. Requa to do so the morning of June 4. Instead, he forwarded his correspondence to the District Public Relations Officer in a sealed envelope with a letter explaining that he had suddenly been called to Los Angeles. He further stated that he would phone the District Public Relations Officer later in the day and that he soon would return to Coronado. He failed to telephone and, to the knowledge of the District Public Relations Officer, he has not returned to Hotel Del Coronado.

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" 12. The District Public Relations Officer has never met nor conversed with the subject person. At the invitation of Comdr. Seligman it is understood that Lt. Requa, in company with Lt. (jg) Y. Frank FREEMAN, Jr., USNR, personally met and conversed with the subject person at Hotel del Coronado the evening of Wednesday, June 3, 1942.

E. Robert Anderson

" 13. Investigation of subject's activities between June 2, 1942, when he arrived in San Diego, California, and June 4, 1942, when he departed from San Diego, revealed the following known contacts: (1) Captain Fred C. SHERMAN, USN, (2) Commander and Mrs. Mortimer SELIGMAN, USN, (3) Lieut. (jg) Harold R. REQUA, USNR, (4) Lieut. (jg) Y. FRANK FREEMAN, Jr., USNR, (5) Alberto CAMPIONE, Manager Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, California.

" 14. Subject arrived in Los Angeles, and at 1100 met his wife and another woman in the grill of the Clark Hotel. Subject's wife and the unidentified woman, who was believed to be the wife of Lt. Cmdr. USN, Submarine Force, were reported to have arrived in San Francisco by clipper from Honolulu on June 3rd, and to have entrained for Los Angeles on the evening of June 3rd. The unidentified woman left the Clark Hotel shortly after noon, June 4th and entrained for San Diego. Subject and his wife made only one contact in Los Angeles, aside from the routine hotel contacts. That contact was with Mr. Tim TURNER of the Los Angeles Times. Mr. TURNER, when interviewed, reported that subject had stated he had been aboard the REPULSE, which was torpedoed, and that during the engagement, he (subject) had lost all of his per- sonal belongings. According to Mr. TURNER, subject requested that his presence in Los Angeles not be publicized.

" 15. Harold NANNINGA, a bell captain, Clark Hotel, Los Angeles, was interviewed and stated that he had, at the request of subject, dis- patched two small packages (contents unknown) by express to the Chicago Tribune.

" 16. Subject left Los Angeles by United Airlines at 1815, June

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The article mentioned in the above report as Enclosure A set forth the fact that the strength of the Japanese forces with which the American Navy was battling in the Midway Battle was well known in American Naval circles several days before the battle began, and the article went on to list the make-up of the Japanese force broken down into the striking force, the support force, and the occupation force, listing under each heading the names, tonnage, and guns of the Japanese ships involved. This article is not being set forth in this report in view of the fact that the Bureau and interested offices already have copies of it.

The article referred to as Enclosure B in the above Navy report was a short story of the war history of the U.S.S. LEXINGTON which has no particular significance in instant investigation and copies of this article have previously been forwarded the Bureau.

A subsequent check made by Agent BROWNE revealed that the telegram to IOY MALONEY in care of the Chicago Tribune was sent by subject on June 3, 1942. Copies of the other telegrams were obtained and placed in the file of this office.

AT CORONADO, CALIFORNIA

Commander MORTON SELIGMAN, Executive Officer of the U.S.S. LEXINGTON was interviewed at his home by Reporting Agent and Agent FISH. At this time he advised that subject boarded the LEXINGTON at Pearl Harbor on April 15, 1942 and was escorted aboard by a representative of the staff of Admiral NIMITZ, Pacific Commander in Chief, and that subject bore the highest credentials issued by Admiral NIMITZ. SELIGMAN stated that subject stayed on the LEXINGTON from that time until the day the LEXINGTON was sunk early in the battle of the Coral Sea, and that during all the time that he was on board, he had the free run of the ship, conversing freely with the officers as well as the enlisted personnel.

SELIGMAN understood that he was to be given this freedom aboard the LEXINGTON and stated that he understood subject's purpose on the LEXINGTON was to obtain information that he could use in writing articles to be published upon JOHNSTONS return. He stated it was his understanding that, of course, everything that JOHNSTON might obtain aboard the LEXINGTON would have to be submitted to the Navy Department and approved before any publication was had.

He advised that subject took an active part in the daily life of the LEXINGTON and distinguished himself by his heroism on several occasions when he risked his life to save the lives of personnel of the LEXINGTON. He stated that JOHNSTON had previously worked around the islands of New

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Guinea and that he had considerable knowledge of the geography of the Coral Sea and had been of great service at times to the LEXINGTON officers in furnishing information concerning islands in that vicinity.

In short, SELIGMAN advised that in view of subject's credentials and close association between him and the LEXINGTON officers, everyone on board the LEXINGTON had the highest confidence in subject.

SELIGMAN further advised that subject went aboard the U.S.S. BARNETT in the South Pacific, along with several senior officers of the LEXINGTON, for the return trip to San Diego, California, and that they arrived in San Diego on June 2, 1942. He advised that subsequent to his arrival in San Diego, he had gone to San Francisco, California, with Commander HERBERT DUCKWORTH, Air Officer of the LEXINGTON, for questioning about instant case by Admiral GREENSLADE. He advised that in San Francisco, California, instant message was shown to him and it was pointed out that his initials appeared on the message. He had not previously realized that he had actually seen this message which he understood then told of the composition of a Japanese Task Force which was headed toward Midway Island. He advised that he was told that this message was apparently shown to him on May 31, 1942, but he stated that the only message of this type that he recalled having seen was a message two days previous to May 31, 1942; that Captain PHILIPS of the BARNETT told him that which had to do with the carrier make-up of a Japanese Task Force. He advised that he was particularly interested only in the disposition of Japanese carrier strength in the Pacific and did not particularly care about the supporting force that might be accompanying the carriers in view of the fact that he was a guest officer and at that time removed from the scene of combat.

He advised that he had called for the Japanese silhouette book on the BARNETT to use in connection with the reports he was preparing on the Coral Sea Battle, and particularly to use it to identify a Japanese carrier which he believed had been sunk in that battle. He stated that he recalled a conversation with Lieutenant (jg) BONTECOU, Communications Officer of the BARNETT, concerning JOHNSTON's presence aboard the LEXINGTON and he stated that, to the best of his recollection, he had made the statement to BONTECOU that he wondered what steps the Navy could possibly take to keep a smart newspaper correspondent who was in the midst of a Naval campaign and familiar with Naval tactics from getting information that he should not have. He stated that in this conversation he believed he had mentioned that JOHNSTON must have necessarily obtained much information which the Navy would regard as secret and confidential because the subject had lived with the LEXINGTON officers and men through the heat of battle days on end.

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SELIGMAN stated that he positively did not exhibit and would not have exhibited any secret message to subject either on the LEXINGTON or the BARNETT, and he felt positive that no officer on either vessel exhibited instant message to subject, and he felt certain that no officer at any time copied instant message in such detail that this copy could have been found and made the basis of subject's newspaper article. He did state that due to the close association of the LEXINGTON officers and men with subject; that it was possible subject could have overheard a conversation between authorized officers or he might even have read instant message over the shoulder of an authorized officer who was reading it. He pointed out that the conditions in the quarters of JOHNSTON were such that JOHNSTON might have been working at his work table just around a flimsy partition from a large table in the same room where the senior officers of the LEXINGTON worked preparing their reports and to where coffee was available and the officers talked among themselves as well as with JOHNSTON.

He advised he could not understand how instant message as received aboard the BARNETT turned up in San Francisco, California, where it was exhibited to him by Admiral GREENSLADE, when Captain PHILLIPS of the BARNETT stated to Admiral GREENSLADE that secret messages were burned at the end of each day.

SELIGMAN specifically denied making the statement that "on the LEXINGTON we were authorized to show JOHNSTON secret and confidential messages and letters."

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Commander HERBERT DUCKWORTH, Air Officer of the U.S.S. LEXINGTON was interviewed by reporting agent and Agent D. A. FISH at which time he advised that on board the LEXINGTON the subject had had the free run of the ship and had been very intimate with the LEXINGTON officers, as well as members of the crew. He advised substantially the same information concerning subject's behavior on board the LEXINGTON as that furnished by Commander SELIGMAN.

With reference to the handling of instant message aboard the U.S.S. BARNETT, he stated that about 9:00 P.M. one night, Lieutenant BREWER of the LEXINGTON, who was in charge of the Communications Watch Officers loaned to the BARNETT from the LEXINGTON, came into the Wardroom where DUCKWORTH was playing bridge with three Junior officers. At this time BREWER exhibited the message in question to DUCKWORTH and he laid down his bridge hand to look at it. He initialed it and resumed his bridge game and did not discuss the message with any of the persons pre- sent.

He advised that in addition to the decoding officers loaned to the BARNETT, some engineering officers and signalmen were loaned as a matter of courtesy. DUCKWORTH advised that instant message as best he recalled it consisted of approximately fifteen or eighteen lines of tele- graph strip pasted on a white sheet of paper and he stated he did not know who else on the LEXINGTON had seen this message. He did not know anyone who made any notes of this message. He stated that he never dis- cussed this message with subject and was sure that no one had exhibited the message to him. He advised that because of the close quarters on the BARNETT and because of the position JOHNSTON had occupied aboard the LEXINGTON, it was highly possible that he had obtained the context of instant message by overhearing the conversations between some Senior Officers about instant message or by glancing over the shoulder of some Senior Officer who was reading the message. He stated that JOHNSTON was not present at the time he himself saw the message and he did not recall discussing instant message himself with any other officer although he believed that the Japanese Task Force allegedly approaching Midway had probably been discussed by some of the Senior Officers. He stated that two days previous to the receipt of instant message, he had seen a message which gave the carrier make-up of the Japanese Task Force and fur- ther mentioned that there was a battle-ship division and destroyers accom- panying.

DUCKWORTH said that he was sure no crew member could have relayed the contents of instant message to subject as he did not believe that Mid-

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way was ever mentioned in the presence of any crew members or enlisted personnel and even if it had been it could not have been relayed in such detail. DUCKWORTH pointed out the possibility of JOHNSTON's overhearing something about instant message because of the proximity of his quarters to a table in the Commodore Suite which table was used extensively by Senior Officers of the LEXINGTON throughout the trip of the BARNETT to San Diego. He advised that Lieutenant Commander TERRY, who also had a bunk in the Commodore Suite opposite the bunk of JOHNSTON, had been ill and confined to his bunk during most of the journey. He stated that he did not recall ever seeing the Japanese Silhouette Book of the BARNETT.

Lieutenant Commander WINTHROP EUGENE TERRY, U.S.N., was interviewed on June 14, 1942 by Special Agent F. C. DORWART at his temporary residence at the Mar Vista Motor Court, Pacific Beach, California. He stated that his official station on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON was that of Communications Officer; that he first met STANLEY JOHNSTON when the latter came aboard the U.S.S. LEXINGTON at Honolulu, T.H., when the ship was leaving for its last cruise. Lieutenant Commander TERRY stated that he was introduced to JOHNSTON and assured himself to his own satisfaction that JOHNSTON was in possession of necessary credentials and knew that he was responsible to Admiral NIMITZ. TERRY is not sure, but he believes that he saw the credentials of JOHNSTON. He stated that JOHNSTON while on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON, was never allowed into the Communications Room; that while JOHNSTON was not exactly restricted in his movements about the ship, he believes that JOHNSTON confined his movements generally to the Wardroom section of the ship. He was allowed on the bridge of the ship and was there much of the time during the battles engaged in by the U.S.S. LEXINGTON. Lieutenant Commander TERRY advised that JOHNSTON was never allowed to see any of the messages received by the LEXINGTON and that in addition to the personnel in the Communications Room, only the Captain, Executive Officer and the heads of the Departments were allowed to see or know the contents of any messages. On this particular cruise the staff of Admiral FITCH, Commander of Carrier Division II, which was aboard the U.S.S. LEXINGTON, was also allowed to see the messages.

Lieutenant Commander TERRY stated that JOHNSTON appeared to be a thoroughly reliable individual and he believed him to be loyal without question and would not do anything that would jeopardize the security of the Navy or the United States. He stated that apparently JOHNSTON had seen a great deal of action in the present war and thus had a great deal to talk about; that he apparently liked to talk and did do a great deal of talking, much of which was, of course, of interest to the officers. TERRY stated that he himself had not talked to JOHNSTON so very much since

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he had considerable on his mind and did not care to be bothered. He stated that JOHNSTON conducted himself in an exemplary manner at all times, particularly under fire; that because of his close association with the officers on the ship, he had become almost a part of them and all of the officer personnel had the utmost confidence in him.

Following the sinking of the U.S.S. LEXINGTON, Lieutenant Commander TERRY stated that he did not see JOHNSTON again until they were both aboard the transport U.S.S. BARNETT enroute to San Diego, California. He stated that he believes that Mr. JUNKER made the room assignments on board the BARNETT, that at any rate JUNKER told him that he had arranged for him (TERRY) to be quartered with JOHNSTON and Commander SELIGMAN. At the time of boarding of the U.S.S. BARNETT, TERRY stated that he was not incapacitated and was up and about except for a burn on his leg received in sliding down therope to the raft when he left the LEXINGTON. JOHNSTON and TERRY were quartered in one part of a room which was separated from the other part by a partition extending about three-quarters of the way across the room. In the other part of the room was a large table in the center at which the LEXINGTON officers sat, worked, talked, drank coffee, et cetera. Commander SELIGMAN was quartered in the same suite, but in a separate room; the center room with the large table separating him from JOHNSTON and TERRY.

TERRY stated that they boarded the U.S.S. BARNETT on about May 15, 1942 and that it was about one week later when he became violently ill; that he became swelled up and had the hives; that during the last three or four days of the trip (the ship arrived in San Diego on June 2) he was so miserable that he could not rest or sleep and was being given adrenalin and morphine.

TERRY stated that after going aboard the BARNETT, the men and officers of the U.S.S. LEXINGTON were "farmed out" to all parts of the ship to be of assistance to the crew and staff of the BARNETT; that such an arrangement was made in the case of the Communications Room of the BARNETT and some of the LEXINGTON officers were assigned to decoding messages. TERRY could only recall the names of Ensign JOHNSON and Lieutenant J.G. BREWER as officers assigned to this particular duty. He stated that he did not know who had worked out the arrangements, but that arrangements were made whereby the Senior officers of the LEXINGTON were allowed to see the messages received by the BARNETT. TERRY stated that his only part in the arrangements as he recalls it was to tell one of the men to have some of the boys handle the messages. He stated that when a message was brought in for him or one of the other officers to read that it was read while the officer stood by and waited for it and it was then taken back by the officer bringing it in; that there was a great deal of going and coming from the room and that JOHNSTON, being so much a part of the officer group, could come and go and it was not noticed; that if a particular message was discussed, that it

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was undoubtedly discussed in JOHNSTON's presence.

Regarding the particular message in question, Lieutenant Commander TERRY stated that he had been shown a copy of this message a few days ago by Admiral HOLMES but stated that he does not recall ever having seen it; that he is quite sure that if he had seen it he would have remembered it because of the various Japanese names of ships which appeared therein. As to his initials appearing thereon, he stated that he was so sick during the last few days of the trip that when messages were brought in to him, he merely told the officer to check him off; that since it was merely a formality to show the LEXINGTON officers the messages in the first place, and since they had no official capacity on the ship and no action was to be taken by them, that he paid very little attention to the messages. He stated that he did know that a message had been received which indicated that there was a Japanese naval force west of Midway Island which included aircraft carriers, but that he did not know of any message setting out the details of the message shown to him by Admiral HOLMES.

As indicative of how he and the other officers felt about STANLEY JOHNSTON's presence, TERRY stated that if he had been well and if a message had been brought to him for his attention, he believes that neither he nor any of the officers would deliberately hand a message to JOHNSTON for his information; that, however, if he were standing next to JOHNSTON when the message was handed to him, and that if JOHNSTON looked at the message or if he thought that JOHNSTON was reading it, he probably would not have taken the message from JOHNSTON's sight; that if the message were thereafter discussed, that JOHNSTON probably entered into the discussion thereof, since he was in fact living, eating and sleeping with the LEXINGTON officers; working in the same room with them and knew as much as they did about the principal topic of conversation which was, naturally, the battle of the Coral Sea. TERRY stated, however, that with regard to the message presently under investigation, that he has no direct recollection of it and it should be noted that the message was received on May 31, 1942 when he was quite ill and not engaging in the general activity of the room.

TERRY pointed out that his own initials could be readily identified, since he makes a monogram form of initial which has the appearance of a three-pronged pitchfork standing on the handle and forms the letters T.W.E. in this manner , the T. and W. being upright and the E. lying down.

Commander A. F. JUNKER, a Senior officer of the LEXINGTON who returned on the BARNETT, was interviewed by the San Francisco Field Division.

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Rear Admiral FREDERICK C. SHERMAN was interviewed by reporting agent and he stated that JOHNSTON was placed aboard the LEXINGTON with credentials from Admiral NIMITZ while SHERMAN was Commanding Officer of the LEXINGTON. He stated that subject told him that he had previously done some work for the State Department which SHERMAN believed to have been Intelligence work. He further advised that subject had said that at the specific request of the State Department, he had become naturalized during the space of three weeks because the type of work he was doing could be better handled by him if he were an American citizen. He advised that subject said he was an Australian previously and had a son in the Royal Australian Air Force. Admiral SHERMAN advised that he understood that anything published by subject was first to be submitted to the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet or the Chief of Staff in Washington for approval and he advised that he did not believe that subject deliberately would secrete an official message and later publish it because he was positive that subject would realize the significance of publishing a secret message of the type in question here. He stated it was his opinion that if subject had the message in question he would have it for his own information and he felt that someone on the Tribune must have found it without the subject's consent and that subject was covering up for that individual now. He stated from his close association with subject during the battles of the Coral Sea and his observation of subject under fire that he felt subject was absolutely loyal and a very high type of man and although there was no limitation on where subject might go aboard the LEXINGTON, he was definitely not given any secret dispatches on that vessel although he said it was very likely that subject may have learned the contents of some secret dispatches on board the LEXINGTON by overhearing conversations or by being present when they were read. Admiral SHERMAN stated that it was apparent what he had thought of JOHNSTON's conduct aboard the LEXINGTON because previous to this trouble arising over the Midway message, he had written a letter to the Chief of Staff recommending that subject be given the Navy Cross or some similar Navy award of commendation.

A list of Communications Watch Officers from the LEXINGTON who stood decoding watches aboard the BARNETT was obtained by Agent L. ALEX GILLIAM at the Destroyer Base in San Diego, where the LEXINGTON men were stationed after their arrival in San Diego. This list is set forth as follows:

Lieutenant I. E. DAVIS; Lieutenant J.G. F. C. BREWER Loveland, Colorado; Ensign E. H. RAILSBACK 1530 Warrington Place Shreveport, Louisiana;

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Ensign J. B. JOHNSON; Ensign G. Y. McKINNON Central YMCA Washington, D. C.; Ensign ROBERT E. HEBBLER.

Agent GILLIAM also obtained a complete list of the LEXINGTON officers who returned to San Diego aboard the BARNETT. This list is being placed in the files of the San Diego Field Division.

AT NORTH ISLAND, CALIFORNIA.

Lieutenant DAVIS was interviewed by reporting agent and he stated that he was the radio officer aboard the LEXINGTON and acted as Communications Officer for the LEXINGTON personnel aboard the BARNETT during the illness of Lieutenant Commander TERRY, the Communications Officer. He stated that the first day they boarded the BARNETT, he contacted Lieutenant BONTICOU, Communications Officer of the BARNETT, on his own authority and he offered the services of his decoding officers as a matter of courtesy to the BARNETT. He stated that Commander SELIGMAN might have requested a change in the procedure of handling coded messages and might have pointed out that he had five qualified decoding officers who could stand a watch on the BARNETT but DAVIS emphasized that he had offered these decoders as a matter of courtesy on his own authority and he never received any orders from TERRY or any other superior office to turn them over to the BARNETT. He advised that as a matter of courtesy some engineers and signalmen were turned over by other officers of the LEXINGTON to the BARNETT. He stated that he placed Lieutenant BREWER in charge of this detail of decoding officers and he had nothing to do with them; that he stood no watches himself and received no instructions from the Captain of the BARNETT about the decoding officers. He advised that his offer to turn over the decoding officers was not immediately accepted but he believed that they were utilized beginning the second day of the voyage. He stated that he understood the practice of handling the coded messages was to have them decoded by the decoding officers and take them immediately to Captain PHILLIPS of the BARNETT, at which time PHILLIPS would decide whether they should be routed to the LEXINGTON people. He stated that after this decision was made it would be up to SELIGMAN to determine which of the LEXINGTON officers should see the message. He stated, of course that his decoding officers were responsible only to the Captain of the BARNETT after they were turned over to the BARNETT. DAVIS advised that he thought he had seen instant message because BREWER subsequently told him that he had seen it but he did not recall exactly.

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DAVIS stated he was in the quarters of Lieutenant Commander TERRY only twice on the entire voyage and at that time there was nothing particular going on there.

He advised that Lieutenant BREWER, whom he placed in charge of the decoding officers, was always very particular about the circulation of secret messages and he felt positive that BREWER nor any of the Communi- cations Watch Officers would have shown instant message to any individual who was not entitled to see it.

With reference to JOHNSTON, DAVIS stated that he had known him aboard the LEXINGTON in the same manner that most of the officers and men had known him. He said it was his opinion that JOHNSTON was inclined to brag and exaggerate his prior experiences but he stated that he knew JOHNSTON was never shown any secret dispatches by any of the Communications Watch Officers on board the LEXINGTON. He could not determine how subject obtained the contents of instant message.

On June 15, 1942, Ensign ROBERT E. HEBBLER, U.S.N.R., was inter- viewed by Special Agent F. C. DORWART at the Destroyer Base, San Diego, California and advised that on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON he was the Rate R- Materiel Officer. In addition he was assigned to duties in the Communication Office where he did decoding and the handling of dispatches, et cetera. HEBBLER stated that he met STANLEY JOHNSTON casually on the LEXINGTON when introduced with a group of Junior officers which occurred at the Junior Officers' Mess and that the group sat around and talked with JOHNSTON for a short time. He stated that he understood that JOHNSTON was a war corres- pondent and it was understood or went without saying that being on the ship he was in possession of the necessary credentials. HEBLER stated that he believes that JOHNSTON had a pretty free run of the LEXINGTON but that he was never allowed in the Communications Room; that JOHNSTON was usually around the Wardroom section of the ship most of the time and that he, HEBBLER did not see much of him since being a Junior officer he messed with the Junior officers while JOHNSTON was quartered with and messed with the Senior officers. HEBBLER stated that regarding secret messages received on the LEXINGTON, these messages were handled in their entirety by Naval Officers and that in the routing of the messages, an officer took them from one Department to another for the individual officer's attention, after which they were initialed by the officer and returned to the safe in the Communications Room. Those officers to whom secret messages were shown on the LEXINGTON were stated by HEBBLER to have been Captain SHERMAN, Commander DUCKWORTH, Commander SELIGMAN, Commander TERRY, Commander DUDLEY and Lieuten- ant COOPER; that in addition one copy of the message was dispatched to the staff of Admiral FITCH.

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HEBBLER stated that he has delivered messages to the Department heads when STANLEY JOHNSTON or an enlisted man was present and that on such occasions he usually tried to stand right beside the officer in order to give more security to the message. He stated that he recalls on one occasion he delivered a message to Commander SELIGMAN when JOHNSTON was present when the message which was not particularly important, stated something about a ship having been sunk and that the Commander then made the comment "That is the way an order should be carried out", or words to that effect. HEBBLER stated that it appeared to him that STANLEY JOHNSTON had free access to the Senior officers' quarters and that he knows that he was in the company of Commander SELIGMAN a great deal.

HEBBLER stated that after being transferred to the U.S.S. BARNETT, he was assigned to the Communications Room as one of the decoding officers and that he and the other officers handled all the messages decoding them and writing them up and personally handling all routing themselves. He stated that on the BARNETT, the messages first went to the Captain of the BARNETT and that he believes the Captain was the only officer of the BARNETT crew who saw the messages except of course the Communication Officer of the BARNETT. The messages were then routed to the LEXINGTON officers, they being Commanders SELIGMAN, DUCKWORTH, TERRY JUNKER and O'DONNELL. HEBBLER stated that while on the BARNETT he never did take a message to the suite occupied by SELIGMAN, TERRY and STANLEY JOHNSTON but he recalls that Mr. BREWER stated that he would take care of the routing and that BREWER usually did this himself; that he, HEBBLER, be- lieves he was only in the suite occupied by SELIGMAN, TERRY and JOHNSTON on two occasions for a short time and was unable to state the general nature of the conversations or activities which went on in that room among the officers in JOHNSTON's presence.

With regard to the messages in question pertaining to the Task Force of the Japanese ships west of Midway, HEBBLER stated he is sure that he saw this message which stated the number of carriers, heavy cruisers, light cruisers, et cetera which were believed to make up the force but that when he saw it, he is sure it had been routed to everyone. He knows that he did not deliver the message himself to any of the officers. HEBBLER stated that he himself had never shown a message to STANLEY JOHNSTON, nor had any other officer in his presence ever deliberately shown a message to STANLEY JOHNSTON.

On June 15, 1942 Ensign JAMES B. JOHNSON, U.S.N.R., was interviewed by Special Agent F. C. DORWART at the Destroyer Base, San Diego, California, and advised that on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON, he was assigned to the Communi- cations Room under Lieutenant Commander TERRY; that although he knew STANLEY JOHNSTON was aboard and knew who he was, he never met JOHNSTON. He stated that on the LEXINGTON, he had never delivered a message to any of the officers when STANLEY JOHNSTON was present; that since STANLEY JOHNSTON did not mess with the Junior officers on the LEXINGTON, he did not see very much of him.

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When transferred to the U.S.S. BARNETT, JOHNSON stated that he was assigned to the Communications Room where he did decoding, writing up and routing of all secret messages. He stated that he saw STANLEY JOHNSTON more frequently on the BARNETT than on the LEXINGTON and in fact he personally took a number of messages to the suite occupied by SELIGMAN, TERRY and JOHNSTON for the attention of the two officers or any other officers entitled to same who might have been in the suite at the time. JOHNSON stated that the only times he went into this room was on business usually of this nature and that he never had occasion to stay in the room for more than approximately five minutes; that as he recalls STANLEY JOHNSTON was usually busy at the typewriter or talking to the officers, et cetera. JOHNSON stated that on no occasion when he ever delivered a message to any of the officers was the message overhanded to STANLEY JOHNSTON; that because of his infrequent calls in this suite he would be unable to state whether or not the messages were thereafter discussed by the officers in JOHNSTON's presence.

Regarding the message in question, JOHNSON is inclined to believe that he did not see that message at all; that he does recall a message from Admiral GHORMLEY regarding something about Midway Island but does not believe that that message referred to the number of ships in the Japanese Task Force.

Regarding messages delivered by Mr. JOHNSON to Commander TERRY when the latter was ill, Mr. JOHNSON stated he recalls that on some of the last times he took messages to Commander TERRY, that the latter was very ill and waved him aside indicating that he did not want to see the messages. JOHNSON stated that on those occasions he is positive that he would not have placed Commander TERRY's initials thereon but would have merely passed the word back that Commander TERRY did not wish to see the messages.

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The New Orleans Office was requested by telephone to interview Ensign EDWARD H. RAILSBACK at Shreveport, Louisiana. The Denver Office was requested to interview Lieutenant (jg) F. C. BREWER at Loveland, Colorado. The Washington Field Office was requested to interview Ensign G.Y. McKINNON.

The San Francisco Field Division requested that six enlisted men who worked in the temporary office of the Lexington aboard the USS Barnett be inter- viewed by this office, and consequently the following Navy enlisted men were interviewed by Special Agents D. A. FISH and EDWIN S. YOUTZ at the United States Destroyer Base, San Diego, California. These men are presently attached to the Minute Unit at the Destroyer Base, awaiting reassignment. They were all aboard the Lexington at the time it was sunk, and all returned to San Diego aboard the Barnett.

FRANK CISOWSKI, Chief Yeoman, 515 Sampson Street, San Diego, California, advised that he had worked in the Personnel office which was set up aboard the Barnett. He stated that he saw all dispatches except those marked "Secret," and that a dispatch board was maintained in this office where all dispatches were hung on a hook on the bulkhead. This pertained only to routine traffic dispatches. He recalled seeing only one dispatch marked "Secret," and this was on routine business having to do with advancements in ratings and he was at a loss to understand why it should have been marked "Secret." CISOWSKI advised that he did not know where the decoding room was, but presumed that it was about three decks up and midships from his office, which was in the aft portion of the ship.

CISOWSKI stated that he was quartered with the other Chief Petty Officers in the aft compartment and that the Commanding Officers lived forward in the ship, the distance of the ship being between their quarters. He ad- vised that Commander SELIGMAN, Lieutenant Commander TERRY, and STANLEY JOHNSTON, a newspaper man, had quarters together. On one night about five days before the BARNETT landed, CISOWSKI took the Fitness Reports to Commander SELIGMAN for signature. He recalls that in SELIGMAN's quarters at this time were SELIGMAN, TERRY and JOHNSTON, and believes that at this time SELIGMAN had the "Secret" dispatch book in his hands, thumbing through it. He said that SELIGMAN was apparently giving JOHNSTON some technical advice on an article JOHNSTON was writing. CISOWSKI was asked to wait outside the quarters while the Fitness Reports were signed. He could not recall the exact date of this occurence, but placed it as the night the Fitness Reports were signed by Commander SELIGMAN, about five days before the BARNETT docked.

On one other occasion, CISOWSKI saw the "Secret" dispatch book, when he had occasion to go to the Officers Quarters and saw TERRY reading the book in his bunk. There was no one else in the quarters at this time.

CISOWSKI advised that the Secret dispatch book was always in the hands of an officer, although he did not know in whose custody the book was kept. He said that JOHNSTON was given all the privileges of an officer, and allowed the run of the ship, although it was his understanding that SELIGMAN censored everything that JOHNSTON wrote. CISOWSKI recalled hearing no rumors of matter-

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of a confidential nature among the men. He stated that his office had nothing to do with Communications, other than that routine messages were filed in his office.

DONALD E. KRANZ, Yoeman Second Class, 809 E. 28th Street, Oakland, California, advised that he had worked in the office which the LEXINGTON crew set up aboard the BARNETT. He was quartered in the "A" division compartment by the No. 3 hold, which was two decks below and aft of the machinery space. Inc officers quarters were forward and on the port side. KRANZ stated that he had never seen the "Secret" dispatch folder and that the only thing of a secret nature he had seen was a report he was working on for Lt. JUNKER about the action in the Coral Sea. He at no time heard any discussion about secret dispatches, stating that these were always signed for by officers. He stated that the Communications Office was forward, near the bridge, and that he had never had anything to do with coding or decoding of messages. He said that STANLEY JOHNSTON, a newspaper man, was the only civilian on board to his knowledge, and that JOHNSTON was quartered with SELIGMAN and TERRY. JOHNSTON was only in office on one occasion, and had never talked with him. On one occasion KRANZ took a dispatch to SELIGMAN's quarters, at which time SELIGMAN, TERRY, and JOHNSTON were present, JOHNSTON typing, SELIGMAN in a chair at the same table, and TERRY in his bunk. No folder or book marked "Secret" could be seen, and there was no conversation while he was in the room.

JOHN P. HAGGERTY, Yoeman Second Class, 2637 West 23rd Street, Denver, Colorado, advised that he also worked in the office set up by the LEXINGTON crew aboard the BARNETT, and that a dispatch file board was maintained, but only routine dispatches were posted. He had nothing to do with Secret dispatches, and had never seen a file or book marked "Secret." He at no time heard any discussion of secret dispatches, and heard nothing concerning the Midway engagement until he read about it in the newspapers on shore. HAGGERTY was quartered amidship, right under the super-structure, and stated that SELIGMAN, TERRY, and JOHNSTON were quartered forward in the ship. He advised that the only time he was ever in or near those officer's quarters was about five o'clock in the morning delivering the press news. It was always dark at this time, and everyone asleep. He merely tossed the press news into the room and departed. He said that JOHNSTON had about the same status as an officer, and was allowed the

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freedom of the ship. JOHNSTON talked a lot with the officers, appeared very friendly with them, and was well liked by them.

J. A. STACY, Yeoman 2nd Class, Cherry Valley, Arkansas, advised that he worked on the files, and had never seen a file or book of dispatches marked "Secret", although he had seen the regular dispatch file on the bulkhead in the office. He said that he did not have regular quarters, but would sleep on deck. SELIGMAN, TERRY and JOHNSTON were in the same quarters forward, and on several occasions he had taken papers to the officer's quarters to be signed. On one occasion he had typed a letter on JOHNSTON'S typewriter, at which time JOHNSTON was in the room, together with three Squadron officers, whose names he could not recall. The table was bare at this time. He advised that at no time had he ever heard any talk of confidential matters, and knew nothing of the Midway engagement until reading it in the papers ashore. He advised that JOHNSTON apparently had the privileges of an officer, as he ate and slept with them, and had the freedom of the ship.

WALTER WITHERS (Colored) Mess Attendant 1st Class, 2161 29th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stated that he was on duty as the Commander's Watch Boy in the Commodore's Cabin, which was the one occupied by SELIGMAN, TERRY and JOHNSTON. He said that his work was confined to the pantry in back of this cabin, and to making up TERRY'S and JOHNSTON'S quarters. At no time could he recall ever seeing a dispatch book or file marked "Secret", nor did he ever hear confidential matters discussed, stating that whenever he had occasion to go into the cabin and the occupants were present, they would stop talking until he had left. He advised that he did not hear of the Midway engagement until getting ashore. According to WITHERS, JOHNSTON appeared to enjoy all the privileges of an officer and was always with officers, who all seemed to like him.

JOSE G. SABLAN, Mess Attendant 1st Class, 1335 Esperanza Street, Guam, advised that he was on duty in the pantry for Com. SELIGMAN, sometimes sleeping in the pantry and sometimes on deck. He also had charge of taking care of SELIGMAN'S quarters. He said that officers would often come to the quarters with folders marked "Secret", and that he had seen an envelope on SELIGMAN'S desk marked "Secret", and that some of these papers had covers on and some did not. He could not recall ever seeing any regular secret dispatch file. He stated that the "Secret" papers were always in the possession of an officer, and that many officers would come to the quarters to drink coffee, as well as TERRY and JOHNSTON, who also were quartered there. He said that he never heard discussions of a confidential nature, and that on every occasion when he would enter the room, the conversation would cease until he had left. He knew nothing of the Midway encounter while on board the BARNETT, first hearing of it when he got ashore. He stated that JOHNSTON was very good natured, very friendly with all the officers, and was treated as an officer by the Mess Attendants. JOHNSTON spent much of his time at the typewriter or reading magazines or books, and so far as SABLAN knew, had the freedom of the ship.

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Lieutenant (jg) HAROLD P. REQUA, Assistant to the Public Relations Officer of the 11th Naval District, was interviewed and he advised that on June 3, 1942, he had met subject at the Coronado Hotel, where there were present at dinner Mrs. REQUA, Commander and Mrs. SELIGMAN, Lieutenant (jg) FREEMAN and subject. He stated at this time that there were some discussions about the Coral Sea, but absolutely nothing of a confidential nature, the discussions being confined to personal episodes, the other discussions held between Commander SELIGMAN, subject and REQUA. REQUA understood that subject was going to submit all of his prepared copy concerning the Coral Sea matter, which REQUA under- stood to consist of about 6,000 words. There was no discussion between them of any other material that subject may have had, and REQUA made a definite arrangement with JOHNSTON on June 3, 1942, that JOHNSTON would come to the Public Relations Office to submit his material for Navy censorship at 10:00 AM on June 4.

He stated that on June 4, JOHNSTON did not show up, and some time later in the day a sealed envelope was found on the desk of Lieutenant Commander E. R. ANDERSON, District Public Relations Officer, together with a letter from subject stating that he had been suddenly called to Los Angeles and was submitting with the letter the material that he had for Navy censorship. REQUA understood this material was turned over by Commander ANDERSON to Admiral HOLMES, the Commandant of the 11th Naval District.

REQUA stated that at no time did he mention or hear JOHNSTON mention anything with reference to the Midway Battle or the evidence leading up to it. He stated he had no idea of what JOHNSTON might have referred to when he sent a telegram to LOY MALONEY, care of the Chicago Tribune, which included the words: "Still think HENNING should press when he receives my air mail."

Lieutenant Commander E. R. ANDERSON, District Public Relations Officer, advised that the material forwarded to the District Public Relations Office by subject, consisted only of a story concerning the Coral Sea.

Rear Admiral RALSTON HOLMES was interviewed by reporting Agent, at which time he stated that the material submitted by subject to the Navy Public Relations Office was brought to him by Captain RAVENS CROFT, Chief of Staff, 11th Naval District, and that he glanced over it briefly. He stated that he believed it was only material reporting evidence of the Coral Sea. He advised that this material was not passed upon by him or the 11th Naval District, but was forwarded immediately through Commander SULLIVAN of the Staff of Admiral KING by Navy plane direct to the Navy Department in Washington, where it was presumably to be studied and released for publication.

Admiral HOLMES advised that he had spoken to Lieutenant BREWER, but had only asked him whether instant secret dispatch may have been left unattended overnight at any time on the BARNETT, and that BREWER's answer was in the negative. Admiral HOLMES advised that he had no further information of value.

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Captain G. M. RAVENSCROFT, Chief of Staff, 11th Naval District, San Diego, California, was interviewed by Special Agent F. C. DORWART on June 16, 1942. He advised that he had examined the material submitted by STANLEY JOHNSTON and that this material consisted of about six stories which JOHNSTON had written regarding the USS LEXINGTON and the Battle of the Coral Sea. He stated that these stories appear to be the stories which are presently running in the newspapers. Captain RAVENSCROFT advised that this was the only material submitted and that he knows that there was nothing in the material regarding the matter under investigation, i.e. information regarding the Japanese Naval forces west of Midway Island. He stated that after looking this material over carefully, he placed it in an envelope and gave it to Commander SULLIVAN of Admiral KING's Staff, who was flying to Washington, D. C.

Special Agent GILLIAM interviewed Lieutenant GEORGE O. WOODS, a Squadron Leader of a Bombing Squadron of the LEXINGTON, who returned aboard the BARNETT. Lieutenant WOODS advised that none of the Junior Officers aboard the BARNETT had any knowledge of any information concerning the Midway engagement, and that although there were many rumors about the vessel; he was sure that no Junior Officers ever saw any secret dispatch and never discussed any such matters with the Senior Officers or with STANLEY JOHNSTON.

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Lieutenant Commander EDWARD J. O'DONNELL, Gunnery Officer of the U.S.S. Lexington, was interviewed, and he advised that he had returned to San Diego aboard the Barnett and that he had quarters in the General's suite on the starboard side of the vessel, opposite the Commodore's suite.

He stated that he recalled seeing a message that was brought to him by a decoding officer, and this message named Japanese ships in a Japanese force supposed to be moving toward Midway. He said there were names of battleships, cruisers, carriers and others in this message. He did not recall who showed it to him, and he did not recall whether or not he had initialed it but stated that his practice was to read several messages at a time and initial only the top message, so that the next time the secret file was brought to him he would start with the message on which his initials last appeared and read on to the top. He did not recall date he saw message.

He stated that the impending Midway engagement had been discussed by some of the senior officers, and he said it had been discussed some in his quarters, where the following persons stayed: Commander JUNKER, Lieutenant ELDRIDGE, Chaplain HARKLA and Dr. WHITE.

With reference to subject, O'DONNELL advised that he was a 'hale-fellow-well-met' type of man, very colorful, and full of stories about his various adventures and enterprises. He said he was very voluble and that many of the officers doubted some of the stories subject told. He stated that he himself definitely would not trust subject with any secret materials and that he had been put on guard against subject by some of subject's stories about how he had got around people in England when he was a correspondent there in efforts to obtain secret information in England.

O'DONNELL said he did not have any idea how subject may have obtained the message in question, but stated that he supposed that navy officers, particularly under the circumstances of the Lexington, may be too credulous and too willing to accept people at their face value.

O'DONNELL stated he had never discussed instant message with JOHNSTON, that he did not remember ever discussing instant message or any Midway information in the Commodore's suite, although he stated it was possible that JOHNSTON could have overheard some conversation in the Commodore's suite.

O'DONNELL advised concerning the furnishing of Lexington Officers to the Barnett that he, on his own authority, had furnished gunnery officers to the Barnett who stood gun watches on the return voyage.

PENDING

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NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE

National Security Archive, Suite 701, Gelman Library, The George Washington University, 2130 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20037, Phone: 202/994-7000, Fax: 202/994-7005, nsarchiv@gwu.edu